Minutes
Printable Version
Summary of
Alliance for a Better Columbia (ABC)
Board of Directors Meeting
September 14, 2009
The first item for discussion was a response to President Nelson’s letter. A decision was made to wait until the Home Financial Accountability Act of 2009 becomes effective on Oct. 1, 2009 before following up on our initial request for salary and bonus data. At that time, ABC will send a letter to Mr. Nelson informing him of his legal obligation to release the financial data that ABC is requesting.
The next item on the agenda was a discussion of CA’s Whistleblower Policy. It was decided that ABC should obtain a copy of CA’s policy and compare it with Howard County’s.
Director Tom Scott reported on ABC’s testimony regarding the forthcoming 2011-2012 CA budget which he gave at a recent general board meeting. He noted that none of the board members questioned him regarding the testimony (which will be posted on our website), although one director questioned him regarding ABC’s membership rolls. He deferred answering the question until he could consult with other ABC board members. The board reaffirmed its position that the list of members should not be made public.
It was next decided that ABC would request take-home car data for the Oct.-Dec. 2009 period early next year. The board could then compare this data with similar data for 2008 which has already been obtained.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7:30 PM.
About the Alliance for a Better Columbia. . .
Printable Version
A better Columbia is the goal of us all. But, as individuals acting alone, it’s usually hard to persuade the powers-that-be to make the changes that are necessary.
That’s why a group of concerned Columbia residents founded the Alliance for a Better Columbia (ABC) back in 1987. They saw the need for an independent grass-roots organization that could make a difference on issues that residents care the most about. Since then, many people have joined ABC to work together and serve as a strong voice for the residents of Columbia.
The mission of ABC, as a citizens organization, is to:
- Listen to the community and understand residents’ desires and concerns.
- Track issues affecting Columbia’s residents, especially those issues that involve Columbia Association management and Columbia Council/CA Board of Directors policies, actions, and public statements.
- Inform people about Columbia issues and decisions, serve as an advocate for Columbia residents’ priorities, interests, and concerns, and make appropriate recommendations for action to achieve a better community.
Through the years, most of ABC’s attention has focused on making CA more responsive to residents’ needs. We’ve made some good headway through the years, particularly when some of our members and supporters were elected to serve on CA’s governing body, the Columbia Council. However, there remains widespread concern about the way CA currently operates, which means that ABC’s efforts are needed now more than ever.
Looking forward, ABC will be recommending ways to make CA’s facilities and programs more affordable, opposing any attempts to close or convert our neighborhood pools, pressing for reforms in Columbia’s governance structure, and tackling any other Columbia-related issues that you and other residents feel are important.
We appreciate your interest and hope that you will choose ABC as the civic organization that you will support this year. Please press the “JOIN US” button on our home page and do your part in making a better Columbia.
Commentary
Over the past 21 years, many ABC members have stepped forward as candidates in
Columbia Council elections. And, this year was no exception. Our ABC President, Alex
Hekimian, decided to throw his hat in the ring in Oakland Mills, and in a close race he
won!
There were contested elections for Columbia Council in four villages this year, and here
are the latest vote tallies:
| Oakland Mills |
Alex Hekimian |
— |
270 |
|
Phil Engelke |
— |
262 |
| Harper’s Choice |
Cindy Coyle |
— |
315 |
|
Lynda Maxwell |
— |
200 |
| Wilde Lake |
Phil Kirsch |
— |
260 |
|
Linda Odum |
— |
225 |
| Town Center |
Suzanne Waller |
— |
134 |
|
Steve Meskin |
— |
121 |
While we savor our victories, we know that the composition of the Columbia Council/CA
Board of Directors is still not what it should be, and that our work on behalf of Columbia’s
residents is needed now more than ever. In that vein, we ask each of you to continue to
support ABC’s efforts by continuing your membership. Also, since we have a lot of
talented and knowledgeable people in ABC, we would appreciate your stepping forward
and helping in any way you can in the work of our organization.
In advance of our upcoming meeting, we are enclosing a nomination form for members
who wish to serve on our Board of Directors in the upcoming year. You may fill out the
form and bring it to the May 5 meeting. We look forward to another exciting year!
So many of our dreams at first seem impossible,
then they seem improbable, and then,
when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.
Christopher Reeve
Join Us
Printable Version
Columbia residents have a highly effective citizens organization, the Alliance for a Better Columbia. And, here is an opportunity to try us out.
We offer you a trial membership for 6 months for only $5. It’s a good way for you to see how we handle issues that Columbia’s residents care a lot about.
Looking forward, ABC will be pressing for some initiatives to reform Columbia’s governance structure, opposing any attempts to close or convert our neighborhood pools, recommending ways to make CA’s recreational facilities more affordable, and tackling any other Columbia-related issues that you and our other members feel are important.
We welcome your participation in ABC, so please send us this form with your check payable to:
Alliance for a Better Columbia, P.O. Box 735, Columbia, MD 21045
Thank you.
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Yes, I want to accept your trial offer of a 6-month membership in ABC |
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Talent Search
Do you have skill and experience that you would want to share with us,
in the following areas?
- Art or graphic design
- Writing
- Legal
- Accounting
Related Links
The Columbia Association, Columbia, Maryland
Columbia's Village Associations, Howard County, Maryland
Howard County, Maryland, Government Services
The Baltimore Sun, Howard County, Online Newspaper
The Columbia Flier, Howard County, Online Newspaper
The Washington Post, Howard County, Online Newspaper
The Baltimore Examiner, Howard County, Online Newspaper
Contact Us
| ABC President |
Email |
President@ABetterColumbia.org |
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Snail Mail |
President, Alliance for a Better Columbia
P.O. Box 735
Columbia, MD 21045
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| Board of Directors |
President |
Joel Yesley
11604 Lakewater Ln.
Columbia, MD 21044
410-730-0428
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Vice-President |
Barry Blyveis
6392 Wishing Bridge
Columbia, MD 21045
410-381-3734
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Treasurer |
Tom Scott
5070 Whetstone Rd.
Columbia, MD 21044
410-997-0572
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Secretary |
Open
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Tom Laufer
6252 Kind Rain
Columbia, MD 21045
410-997-0694
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Ginger Scott
5070 Whetstone Rd.
Columbia, MD 21044
410-997-0572
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Joel Pearlman
9410 Book Row
Columbia, MD 21046
301-498-3190
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| ABC Webmaster |
Email |
WebMaster@ABetterColumbia.org |
